The River Medway - Visit Maidstone The River Medway You are here: Things To Do > The River Medway The River Medway TripAdvisor Natural Feature The River Medway provides the perfect setting to unwind, relax and enjoy the Kent countryside. The River itself runs from between East Grinstead and Forest Row in East Sussex, through the High Weald, around the Hartfield and Groombridge areas, on to Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, then to Yalding and Maidstone and finally joining the Thames Estuary between Sheerness and the Isle of Grain. Through history this has been a major trading route for Maidstone and until the introduction of the bridges and locks, the horseway was also one of the few crossing points. This can still be found between the College of Priests and All Saints Church. The Millennium Footbridge enables walkers to cross safely without getting their feet wet. The River Medway is now more recreational rather than a trading route but nevertheless is for its entire length an interesting and magical place to explore.

This can be done in a variety of ways: Exploring by boat The Kentish Lady runs from Maidstone on either three hour trips taking in Allington and East Farleigh or alternatively, on some days, just the short journey to Allington. If you want to explore with your family and at your own pace then a boat from Allington Belle day hire can take up to eight people and you can go for two hours or all day, depending on what suits you. Driving instruction is given prior to departure and these small boats can go as far as Tonbridge. If you want to be closer to the water and quieter then maybe taking in a canoe safari is a good choice. Here you intermingle with the wildlife in their habitat and you will find amazing flora and fauna whilst quietly paddling your own canoe. Canoes can go even further up the river than Tonbridge. Exploring on foot If you don’t want to get on the water then some excellent footpaths run next to the River Medway and into the surrounding countryside, often making circular walks taking in tea rooms or pubs for that essential refreshment along the way. The valley which the River Medway runs through is scenic and changes the whole way along its route.

Exploring on a bicycle The footpaths between Maidstone and Yalding are particularly pretty to explore, and towards the source of the river from Groombridge a very good cycle and footpath runs through to Forest Row. Some small sections of the river are less accessible but still run through beautiful countryside and there is plenty to do and see on the whole route. Fishing Fishing is permitted on certain stretches of the River Medway. A valid rod licence is needed, visit your local Post Office Wildlife An abundance of wildlife can be found along the banks of the river. For more information about nature conservation in the area visit the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership website or telephone 01622 683695. Opening Times Maidstone River Festival Photo 1 of 5 Welcome To the River Festival 2011 Welcome to the Maidstone River Festival 2011. This year promises to be a great day out for families across kent as well as tourists from around the UK. Last year's festival drew in more than 20,000 people to the county town of kent. Regular attractions such as the raft race and firework display will be returning.

The theme for the festival this year is 'At the Movies'. For a summary of the river festival - read the welcome from the chairman here » See the main timetable of activities here » Event Highlights The Raft Race The raft race will be returning this year. Held along a short stretch of the medway, a number of prizes are up for grabs including the winners of each race and best design raft. Enter the raft race here » Firework Display There will be a firework display in the evening to act as the finale for the festival. The display will last over 10 minutes and will be set to music. Watch last year's firework display here . Maidstone River Park – River Medway in Maidstone LEARN MORE THE PARK Maidstone River Park was one of a lasting legacy of projects, funded in part by the National Lottery to celebrate the new Millennium. The park is a 10km walk along the River Medway from Teston Country Park through Maidstone’s town centre, to Allington and Kent Life. It is home to attractions such as All Saints Church, Gallagher Stadium, Lockmeadow Centre and Whatman Park.

NEWS Maidstone Millennium River Park - Explore Kent Maidstone Millennium River Park Cycling Fishing Created by the people of Maidstone with help from the Millennium Commission, Maidstone Millennium River Park is a varied and interesting route running along the banks of the River Medway from Teston Bridge Country Park to Allington. It offers 10km of easily accessible paths linked by three nationally acclaimed, historic pedestrian bridges. The park is unique in having a rural character at both ends, and an urban ambience as it passes through Maidstone town centre. The path passes through Whatman Park, one of the most delightful open spaces in Maidstone, featuring the Riverstage Arena (a modern roofed amphitheatre), rose garden and much more. There are playgrounds at both Whatman Park and Teston Bridge Country Park, while from Allington Lock at the northern end of the route Cobtree Manor Park and the Museum of Kent Life are only a few hundred metres away. Creation of the river park began in 1998 and finished in 2001, after some of the worst flooding in living memory. This park has been awarded a Green Flag. These awards recognise the best green spaces in the country, helping you choose where to visit.

Easy access information This park and open space has at least one accessible route but otherwise is considered to be less suitable for visitors with pushchairs and/or wheelchairs. Maidstone | Article about Maidstone by The Free Dictionary Maidstone | Article about Maidstone by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Wikipedia . Maidstone (mād`stən), city (1991 pop. 86,067), Kent, SE England, on the Medway River. It is a market city with agricultural, paper, printing, quarrying, brewing, and engineering industries. There is evidence of a Roman station. Chillington Manor (Elizabethan) contains the Maidstone Museum, the public library, and the headquarters of the Kent Archaeological Society. The grammar school dates from 1549. Noteworthy are the Church of All Saints, founded in the 14th cent.; the palace of the archbishops; and Penenden Heath, a recreation ground. Maidstone has technical, art, and adult-education schools. William Hazlitt Hazlitt, William, 1778–1830, English essayist.

The son of a reform-mindeed Unitarian minister, he abandoned the idea of entering the clergy and took up painting, philosophy, and later journalism. ..... Click the link for more information. was born in the city. Nearby Cobtree Manor is the "Dingley Dell" of Dickens's Pickwick Papers. Maidstone a city in Great Britain, on the Medway River. Maidstone is the administrative center of the county of Kent. Population, 70,900 (1971). Maidstone is the market center for the surrounding horticulture district. The city’s industries include food, paper, cement, and agricultural machinery. Maidstone a town in SE England, administrative centre of Kent, on the River Medway. Pop.: 89 684 (2001) Maidstone | Familypedia | Fandom powered by Wikia List of places: UK • England • Kent Maidstone is the county town of Kent , England , 32 miles (51 km) south-east of London . The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary .

Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural county of Kent , known as the Garden of England . There is evidence of a settlement in the area dating back to beyond the Stone Age. The town is within the borough of Maidstone . In 2001, the town had a population of 75,070. Maidstone's economy has changed over the years from being involved in heavy industry, to more light and service industries. Contents Edit Saxon charters (c975) show the first recorded instances of the town's name; de maeides stana and maegdan stane with the possible meaning of either stone of the maidens, or possibly stone of the people. The latter meaning may refer to the nearby megalith around which gatherings would take place. The name evolved through medestan/meddestane as reported in the Domesday Book until, in 1610, the modern name appeared. [1] It has also been suggested that the name derives from stones set into the river to allow clothes to be rinsed in the cleaner water away from the banks of the river.

History Main article: History of Maidstone Neolithic finds have revealed the earliest occupation of the area; and the Romans have left their mark also: the road through the town and evidence of villas. The Normans set up a shire moot , and religious organisations established an abbey at Boxley , as well as hospitals and a college for priests . Today’s suburb of Penenden Heath became a place of execution in medieval times. Archbishops Palace Maidstone Museum Maidstone's charter as a town was first confirmed in 1549; although briefly revoked, a new charter in 1551 created the town as a borough. The town’s charter was ratified in 1619 under James I , and the coat of arms, bearing a golden lion and a representation of the river, was designed (in heraldic terms : "or, a fes wavy azure between three roundels gules, on a chief gules a leopard passant gardant or"). Recently these arms were added to by the head of a white horse (representing Invicta , the motto of the county of Kent), a golden lion and an iguanodon .

The iguanodon relates to the local discovery in the 19th century of the fossilised remains of such a dinosaur : The remains are now displayed in the Natural History Museum in London. During the Civil War a battle took place here in 1648, resulting in victory for the Parliamentarian forces. Andrew Broughton , who was Mayor of Maidstone in 1649 (and also Clerk to the High Court of Justice) was responsible for declaring the death sentence on Charles I , and today a plaque in Maidstone Town Centre memorialises Andrew as 'Mayor and Regicide' (a killer of kings). Maidstone has had the right to a town gaol since 1604; the present prison lies north of the town centre and was completed in 1819. Army barracks have been a feature of the town since 1797, when the first was built. The present Invicta Barracks is home to the Royal Engineers 36 Engineer Regiment, which includes two Gurkha field squadrons. From an economic point of view, Maidstone’s history has developed around the river, and also the surrounding countryside.

Paper mills, stone quarrying, brewing and the cloth industry have all flourished here. The paper maker James Whatman and his son invented wove paper (Whatman paper) at Turkey Mill from 1740, an important development in the history of printing. [2] Modern history Edit The modern town of Maidstone incorporates a number of previously outlying villages and settlements (see Geography below). The county council offices, to the north of the town centre were built of Portland stone between 1910 and 1913. Maidstone General Hospital opened on the outskirts of the town in 1983, replacing West Kent General Hospital, which opened 150 years earlier in Marsham Street. The new Maidstone General Hospital is located just to the north of the former Oakwood Hospital (originally the Kent County Asylum) which closed in the mid-1990s. Many of today's residents are employed within the retail, administrative or service sectors within the town; there are many industrial estates around the town providing employment. Some of the workforce commutes to other towns, including to London.

Governance County Hall, Maidstone, Kent County Council HQ Members of Parliament The town is divided between the constituencies of Maidstone and the Weald and Faversham and Mid Kent ; having before 1997 been in the county constituency of Maidstone . The current Member of Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald is Conservative Helen Grant . Previous MPs include Ann Widdecombe , Sir John Wells , Sir Alfred Bossom and Benjamin Disraeli [3] . Since 2001 the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent has been Conservative Hugh Robertson . Local government Paulina Stockell Maidstone Rural South The town is within and is the main town of Maidstone borough that includes the surrounding rural areas except to the north-west. The town is divided into the twelve local government wards of Allington, Bridge, Downswood and Otham, East, Fant, Heath, High Street, Park Wood, Shepway North, Shepway South, South, and North. [5] These wards have thirty of the fifty-five seats on the Maidstone Borough Council.

As of the 2011 Maidstone council election , 30 of the seats on the council were held by the Conservative party, 20 by the Liberal Democrats and 4 by independents. Maidstone Borough Council is responsible for running local services such as recreation, refuse collection, most planning decisions and social housing ; [6] Geography A former millpond on the River Len, Mill Street/Palace Avenue Maidstone. Lower Chrisbrook Mill mill pond and Upper Chrisbrook Mill, on the Loose Stream. The town is situated at a point where the River Medway , having previously flowed in a generally west-east direction, is joined by the Rivers Teise and Beult and changes its course to a northerly one. As it does so, it cuts through the ridge formed by the greensand , so that the town occupies a site on two opposite hills; the more easterly one containing the town centre. Beyond that, and still higher, is Penenden Heath . The River Len joins the Medway at Maidstone. Though a short river, it provided the water to drive numerous watermills . The Loose Stream , which rises at Langley and joins at Tovil once powered over 30 mills.

The resultant mill ponds on these rivers are a prominent feature of the landscape. Because of that situation, Maidstone had an industrial base, and became a nodal point for communications, both along the ridge and beside the river, and on the river itself. Roads radiate from here, connecting with Sevenoaks and Ashford (the A20 ); the Medway Towns and Hastings ( A229 ); Tonbridge ( A26 ) and Tenterden ( A274 ). All of these roads were served by the Turnpike trusts in the 18th/19th centuries. The two railway routes that serve the town are not principal ones, in spite of the fact that Maidstone is the county town, due to an accident of history. There are two principal stations: Maidstone East , the more northerly of the two, connects with London and Ashford whilst Maidstone West is on the Medway Valley Line . Although the River Medway was historically responsible for the growth of the town because of its capability to carry much of the area's goods, it is no longer a commercial stream. There is however a great deal of tourist traffic upon it. As with most towns, Maidstone has continued to grow.

In doing so it has incorporated hitherto separate settlements , villages and hamlets within its boundaries. These include Allington , Barming , Bearsted , Penenden Heath, Sandling , Tovil and Weavering Street. Housing estates include Grove Green , Harbourland, Ringlestone , Roseacre, Shepway and Vinters Park. Maidstone was at one time a centre of industry: brewing and paper making being among the most important. Nowadays smaller industrial units encircle the town. [7] The site of one of the breweries is now Fremlin Walk shopping centre. The pedestrianised areas of the High Street and King Street run up from the river crossing at Lockmeadow; Week Street and Gabriel’s Hill bisect this route. Climate Edit As with the rest of the British Isles , Kent experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official Met Office weather station for which online records are available is at nearby East Malling , about 3 miles west of Maidstone town centre. East Malling's highest temperature of 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) was recorded in August 2003.

[8] East Malling also holds the record for the mildest January day in South East England, 17.4 °C (63.3 °F), also set in 2003. [9] The lowest temperature recorded in recent years was −10.7 °C (13 °F) on the 20th December 2010. [10] Climate data for East Malling 1961-1990 (Weather station 3 miles (5 km) to the West of Maidstone) Month Source: 2001 UK census As of the 2001 UK census , Maidstone town wards had a total population of 75,070, and a population density of 28 residents per hectare . The town had 31,142 households; of which, 38% were married couples, 29% were individuals, 10% were cohabiting couples, and 9% were lone parent families. 14% of households had someone living alone at pensionable age.

[12] The ethnicity of the town was given as 96.6% white, 0.9% mixed race , 0.3% Chinese, 1.5% other Asian, 0.4% Black and 0.3% other. The place of birth of the town's residents was 94.1% United Kingdom (91.4% England), 0.6% Republic of Ireland, 0.6% Germany, 1.3% other European countries, 1.7% Asia, 0.9% Africa and 0.8% elsewhere. [12] Religion was recorded as 73.9% Christian, 0.8% Muslim, 0.7% Hindu, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.14% Sikh and 0.11% Jewish. 15.8% were recorded as having no religion, 0.6% had an alternative religion, and 7.7% did not state their religion.

[12] Economy The Mall Maidstone , formerly Chequers, Shopping Centre The Stag, by Edward Bainbridge Copnall , outside the Lockmeadow Centre Industry Edit Today Aylesford (on the northwest side of Maidstone) has the largest paper recycling factory in Europe, manufacturing newsprint for the newspaper industry. Until 1998, the Sharps toffee factory (later part of Cadbury Trebor Basset ), was in central Maidstone and provided a significant source of employment. Loudspeaker manufacturer KEF was founded in 1961 in Maidstone on the premises of a metal working operation called Kent Engineering & Foundry (hence KEF). Today, KEF still occupies the same river-bank site. In the late 1990s KEF manufactured a loudspeaker called “the Maidstone”. The town centre has the largest office centre in the county and the area is a base for the paper and packaging industry. Many high-technology firms have set up on surrounding business parks. Southern Water and Mid Kent Water operate the Maidstone water system.

Shopping/Retail Edit The town is ranked in the top five shopping centres in the south east of England for shopping yields and with more than one million square feet of retail floor space, in the top 50 in the UK. [13] Much of this space is provided the two main shopping centres in the town, the 535,000 square feet (49,700 m2) The Mall Maidstone and the 32,500 square metres (350,000 sq ft) Fremlin Walk which opened in 2006. [14] Other recent developments include the riverside Lockmeadow Centre, which includes a multiplex cinema , restaurants, nightclubs, and the town's market square. The leisure industry is a key contributor to the town's with the night-time economy worth £75m per annum.

[13] Employment Edit As of the 2001 UK census, 45.2% of the town's residents aged 16–74 were employed full-time, 12.7% employed part-time, 7.6% self-employed and 2.5% unemployed, while 2.3% were students with jobs, 3.0% students without jobs, 12.9% retired, 6.6% looking after home or family, 3.8% permanently sick or disabled and 3.2% economically inactive for other reasons. These figures were roughly inline with the national average. [12] Employment, by industry, was 19% retail; 13% real estate; 11% manufacturing; 9% construction; 7% transport and communications ; 10% health and social work ; 8% public administration ; 7% education; 5% finance; 4% hotels and restaurants; 1% agriculture; 1% energy and water supply; and 5% other. Compared to national figures, Maidstone had a relatively high percentage of workers in construction and public administration, and a relatively low percentage in agriculture.

[12] According to the Office for National Statistics estimates, the average gross income of households in Maidstone between April 2001 and March 2002 was £595 per week (£31,000 per year). [12] Army barracks Edit Army barracks have been a feature of the town since 1797, when the first was built. The present Invicta Barracks is home to the Royal Engineers 36 Engineer Regiment, which includes two Gurkha field squadrons. On 29 September 1975 a local pub serving the barracks - The Hare and Hounds - was damaged by a bomb during the IRA campaign against the English mainland. [15] Another pub - The White Rabbit - now occupies the former Officers’ Mess of the original barracks, now a listed building . Transport and communications Edit Residential developments along the river upstream of the Palace. One of the first roads in Kent to be turnpiked was that from Rochester to Maidstone, in 1728, giving some indication of the town’s importance. The A20 runs through the town and the M20 motorway runs to the north.

Originally opened in 1960 as the Maidstone Bypass, A20(M) this was the first motorway standard road to be constructed south of London. Maidstone is a hub for major roads such as the M20 motorway , the A229 , A249 , A20 and A26 . The M2 motorway is also a short distance to the north and the A21 is not too far away. The historic centre of the town is largely pedestrianised or of restricted access to private vehicles. The River Medway had, until the coming of better roads and the railways, long been one of the principal means of transporting goods to and from Maidstone. Improvements had been made in about 1730 to the River Medway, so that barges of 40 tons could get upriver to East Farleigh , Yalding and even Tonbridge . This meant that a good deal of trade, including corn, hops, fodder, fruit, stone and timber passed through the town, where there were several wharfs. The medieval stone bridge was replaced in 1879 to give better clearance: it was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette .

A second bridge, St. Peter's Bridge, was built in 1977. Today the river is of importance mainly to pleasure-boat owners and the considerable number of people living on houseboats. For many years there has been a river festival during the last weekend in July, and a millennium project inaugurated the Medway River Walk, the Medway Park and a new footbridge linking the former cattle market (which is now a multiplex cinema and nightclub) west of the river to the shopping area to the east. Bus transport in Maidstone is provided by Arriva Southern Counties and Nu-Venture transport companies. Bus services are centred on High Street, King Street and the Chequers Bus Station adjacent to the Mall shopping centre. Weekday commuter coach services 781 and 784 between Maidstone and London are operated by Chalkwell Coaches of Sittingbourne. An Arriva Southern Counties bus in Maidstone Transport Centenary livery In 2004 the centenary of Maidstone Corporation Transport was marked with several events, looking back at several historic operators of transport in Maidstone, and featuring a preserved trolleybus from the former Maidstone trolleybus system .

see List of schools in Kent The town of Maidstone has fifteen secondary schools; twenty-three primary schools; and two special schools. Two of the secondary schools, Maplesden Noakes and Invicta Grammar School , have been awarded Business and Enterprise College status. Maidstone Grammar School for Girls is also situated in the town. Maidstone has two independently/non-government funded Academies. Cornwallis Academy (formerly The Cornwallis School) and New Line Learning Academy's (formerly Oldborough Manor School and Senacre Technology College) which were all State Schools. The New Line Learning Academies will soon form one Academy, the Senacre School has been knocked down and housing built on the site, and all activities have moved to the Oldborough site, which will then be re-built. Cornwallis Academy will also be re-built, at a cost estimated to be over £62M. Shaun Williamson , TV actor, attended the local Catholic Seconday School, St. Simon Stock School . The school serves Catholic families throughout the whole of mid-Kent.

As of the 2001 census, 15.7% of the town's residents aged 16–74 had a higher education qualification or the equivalent, below the national average of 19.9%. 27.5% had no academic qualifications, compared to the national figure of 28.9%. Religion Maidstone is twinned with Beauvais in Picardy, France. Radio and television Edit Maidstone has long held links to local radio. There are three radio stations: Invicta Sound (now Heart Kent ) used to broadcast from studios in Earl Street; and Hospital Radio Maidstone is one of the longest serving hospital radio stations in the UK. KMFM Maidstone , formerly CTR 105.6, is the local commercial station for the town - having once broadcast from studios in Mill Street, it now broadcasts from the studios of sister station KMFM Medway . It is part of the KM Group who acquired the station in October 2006. A new version of former pirate radio station Radio Caroline , broadcasts (via Sky and the internet) from The Maidstone Studios , in the Vinters Park area of the town.

The town is home to the Maidstone Studios , an independent television production base that was once home to the former ITV company TVS in Vinters Park. Theatre Edit The Exchange Theatres in Maidstone include: The Hazlitt Theatre ; RiverStage; The Exchange Studio (previously known as ‘‘The Corn Exchange’’); and the Hermitage Millennium Amphitheatre. Literature Maidstone is mentioned several times in Ian Flemming 's 1955 James Bond novel, Moonraker . Specifically the villain Hugo Drax passes through King Street and Gabriels Hill and later stops at the Thomas Wyatt Hotel. Museums Following the NASA tradition of naming craters on Mars after small towns, the Maidstone crater was added to the list of Martian geographical features in 1976. [18] [19] Sport Edit Maidstone celebrate winning the Kent League title in 2006 Maidstone United football team was formed in 1897, and has had mixed fortunes in recent years. The peak of the club's achievement was gaining promotion to the Football League in 1989 after many years of success in non-league football .

However, the club could not bring their own London Road Ground up to Football League standards so they ground-shared at Dartford's Watling Street stadium and played their games there. The club could not keep up with the financial pressures of the Football League and folded in 1992. A new club was formed and made its way from the Kent County League Division 4 to the Isthmian (Ryman) Premier Division , and currently compete in the Ryman Division One South. The club play at Sittingbourne F.C. 's Bourne Park stadium. However, the club, recently under new ownership, look forward to moving in to their new ground at James Whatman Way in 2012. Construction on the stadium started in September 2011. Maidstone Hockey Club is one of the oldest field hockey clubs in the country, founded in 1878. [20] For the 2011/12 season, the Ladies' 1st XI play in the National League East Conference, having won the East Premier League the previous season, [21] and the Men's 1st XI play in the South Hockey League 1st XI Premier League Division 2.

[22] The Men's and Women's 1st squad were both represented in the Indoor England Hockey League Division 2 England Hockey League , with the Men having previously won the Division 2 title in 2008/09. [23] [24] In total, the club has 7 men's sides and 4 women's sides playing at all levels of National, regional, and County leagues. Maidstone Rugby Football Club is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country, founded in 1880. [25] The club runs 6 senior men's sides and a junior section. Kent County Cricket Club played occasional matches on pitches at Mote Park for some 150 years until 2005. Mote Park is the town's largest park and includes a number of recreational and sport facilities. The Lashings World XI exhibition cricket team is based in Maidstone and has included a number of high-profile professional cricketers. [26] Maidstone Sailing Club are a small club that sail on Mote Park lake.

Maidstone also has a rowing club, a martial arts school, a tennis club, an athletics club, an American football team, and a basketball club. A baseball team, the Kent Mariners, are also based in the town. They play in the BBF AA South division. Notable people River Medway: bridges, locks and facilities for boaters - GOV.UK GOV.UK River Medway: bridges, locks and facilities for boaters From: 24 July 2014, see all updates Bridge heights and profiles, locks and facilities for boaters on the River Medway. Contents Check where bridges, locks and facilities are on the River Medway navigation map: Allington to Tonbridge . Launch and landing points for canoes, kayaks and small boats are shown from Tonbridge to Allington, near Maidstone. The most suitable site for launching a large boat is Allington Lock which has parking and a 5 metre slipway. The speed limit on the River Medway is 5 knots. River Medway bridge heights Information on River Medway bridge profiles for over 30 bridges from Allington to Tonbridge. Please note that only small craft can navigate beyond the Big Bridge at Tonbridge.

Make sure you have enough headroom and be aware that height can vary according to the river level and the arches of the bridge. River Medway locks Distances between locks on the River Medway and information on how to operate them. It’s better to share a lock with another boat than close the gates on an approaching boat. You could waste up to 250,000 gallons of water. There are 10 locks on the River Medway. You can operate them all yourself except for Allington Lock which marks the border between the tidal Medway and the non-tidal Medway. Downstream of Allington Lock the River Medway is tidal. At times the river below the lock may be dry, please check tide times before you plan your river passage below the lock. Name of lock - River Medway maximum drafts The draft of a boat’s hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (or keel).

For the non-tidal River Medway (from Allington to Town Lock in Tonbridge), the draft of your boat must not be more than: Allington Lock to Maidstone: maximum draft 2 metres Maidstone to Yalding: maximum draft 1.7 metres Yalding to Tonbridge: maximum draft 1.2 metres Please contact the Environment Agency if you need more information. River Medway facilities: Tonbridge to Allington Information about marinas, locks and facilities on the River Medway; including shops, repairs and toilets. Town Lock, Tonbridge Free pump out (you will need a lifting bridge key to operate it). Cannon Lane Bridge, Tonbridge Free short term mooring is available (up to 48 hours). Timber mooring posts with mooring rings. Ship to shore plank required. East Lock Free short term mooring is available (up to 48 hours). One to three spots are available on the rear of the downstream landing stage. Oak Weir Lock Free short term mooring is available (up to 48 hours). One to three spots are available on the rear of the downstream landing stage.

Sluice Weir Lock Free short term mooring is available (up to 48 hours). Timber mooring posts with mooring rings. Ship to shore plank required. Stoneham Lock Free of charge short term mooring is available (up to 48 hours) at 3 sites for approximately 10 boats. Timber mooring posts with mooring rings. Ship to shore plank required. Yalding lifting bridge On the River Medway at Yalding there is a lifting bridge over the river that you need to operate yourself to pass through. To buy a key for the bridge please visit Allington Lock near Maidstone (open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday), or contact the Environment Agency . You can also buy a key from the Yalding navigation officer. The key costs £10. If you need help operating the bridge, a navigation officer is on duty at Yalding every day 9am, midday and 3pm. Short term mooring is available, on the left bank looking upstream. Timber linear moorings just upstream of the Anchor Pub, £5 per night (turn up and pay).

Adjacent to the lifting bridge: coin operated pump out, a charge applies for this facility. Yalding canoe platform There is a purpose-built canoe and kayak launching and landing platform next to the road. Free parking is available. Hampstead Lock You can launch a canoe, kayak or small boat from the slipway or the adjacent canoe platform. There is free but very limited parking available. Call 01622 752864 and give 24 hours notice to launch and/or take your boat out of the water. East Farleigh This launch is suitable for open canoes. It’s not easy for kayaks. Walk 100 metres to the riverside via a kissing gate, using the road with no pavement. There is parking at the station. Short term mooring is available, approximately 250m below the lock. There are 12 mooring posts which are free to use for up to 48 hours.

Allington Lock Allington Lock, Castle Road, Allington, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0LU Operating times Lock keepers are available to operate Allington Lock at the following times: 1 March to 31 October: Three hours before high water and two hours after where those hours fall between 7am and sunset. 1 November to end of February: Three hours before high water and two hours after where those hours fall between 8am and 4pm. When the lock is not open for operating, you must give the navigation officer 24 hours notice by calling 01622 752864 or by email to allington.lock@environment-agency.gov.uk . Facilities limited electric hook up points water coin operated pump out (a charge applies) Permanent moorings are available at Allington Lock. Short term mooring is available, subject to available space. Overnight mooring can be provided within the lock cut at Allington for £8 per night. Please phone the lock keeper on 01622 752 864 to enquire about a mooring. You can use the 5 metre slipway, which is suitable for most boats.

There is a large car park - a charge applies. The Allington Lock toilet and shower block contain 2 combined toilet and shower rooms, one with disabled access. For those using the site, the toilets are free. There is a small charge for use of the showers. There is chemical toilet disposal and a pump-out facility at the front of the building. There is no charge for the chemical toilet disposal, a charge applies to use the pump out.. Doors to the boaters’ refuse disposal are on the side of the building; electrical hook-up points are available on some of the overnight moorings.

River Medway rules of navigation What you must do obey the general rules of navigation and any local byelaws don’t damage banks and bankside vegetation, waterweed and gravel beds avoid dragging equipment over rock slab and boulders don’t disturb birds and other wildlife you find along the river; avoid areas used by wintering wildlife, nesting birds and spawning fish in the appropriate season stop what you’re doing if you’re disturbing wildlife don’t land on gravel shoals and islands between 1 April and 31 July don’t trespass on private banks or moorings never throw rubbish into the river or leave it on the banks moor sensibly without causing obstruction be as quiet as possible; have respect for other river users and avoid spoiling the enjoyment of others be friendly and polite to local residents follow the Countryside Code have regard for others’ property Speed limit There is a speed limit of 5 knots on the Medway navigation. Fishing from a boat You can’t fish from a powered boat on the River Medway, only a non-powered boat.

To fish from a boat you will need: Maidstone Countryside & Riverside - VisitMaidstone.com The Colours of Autumn Maidstone Countryside & Riverside At the heart of the Garden of England, Kent’s historic County Town of Maidstone is set within a region of wide fertile river valleys and ancient woodlands, dotted with prosperous villages. The area is bounded to the north by the Pilgrims’ Way, an ancient route between London and Canterbury, along the edge of the North Downs , and to the south by the gentle rolling landscape of the Kent Weald. Here you will find vineyards producing great wines and ciders, such as the Hush Heath Estate near Staplehurst. Visitors are welcome to explore the vineyards, orchards and woodlands through a series of trails and to sample some of the produce from the state-of-the-art winery that has received world class awards and recognition. Biddenden Vineyard is Kent’s oldest family-owned vineyard and produces great wines and ciders. There is also a café and a small shop selling lots of local produce. Each season brings new delights with woods full of bluebells, plums and cherries in the orchards and golden autumn leaves in the forests and vineyards.

Ragstone walls, weatherboarding and Kent peg tiles characterise much of the architecture in Maidstone and its villages, alongside traditional oast houses, once used to dry hops from the surrounding fields, now mostly converted to beautiful homes. Kent Life is a premier farm attraction in Maidstone and has the last coal-fired oast house in the country, where you can learn all about the traditions of hop-picking. The 28 acre site celebrates age-old farming traditions, with lots of rare breeds and historic buildings to discover. Farmers’ markets provide good quality, mouth-watering local produce and locally made goods, where shoppers can find genuine Kentish products. They are held around Maidstone in the picturesque villages of Lenham, Headcorn, Sutton Valence, East Farleigh, Aylesford and Yalding. Most run either monthly or fortnightly, so there is usually at least one taking place each weekend. The River Medway runs through the centre of Maidstone with many villages located along its banks. These serve as ideal stopping points for visitors exploring the river, whether on the water by boat or canoe, or along the edges on foot or by bike.

As you would expect for the County Town and the beautiful surrounding countryside, the area is bursting with quality accommodation. Stately country house hotels, such as Chilston Park and homely inns like the Black Horse in Thurnham offer a great base from which to explore the Kent countryside.

Question: On which river is Maidstone
Answer: Medway